What is compression?
Compression is the process of reducing the size of an audio or video file to make it easier to store, transmit, or stream.
There are two main types:
- Lossless compression decreases file size without compromising the audio/video quality or losing any data. This is perfect for archiving or professional work where you need to retain all data.
- Lossy compression reduces file size by removing some data, which decreases audio/video quality but not to the extent that it’s noticeable. Streaming sites prefer lossy compression because the reduced file size means faster loading speeds for users.
What is the best setting to compress a video?
Use the H.264 codec at a resolution of 1080p, with a bitrate around 5,000-10,000 kbps, depending on the desired balance between quality and size.
How to compress video size without losing quality
To compress video without losing quality, use a lossless codec like H.265 (HEVC) and lower the bitrate carefully without drastically affecting the resolution or frame rate.
Does image compression reduce quality?
Yes, lossy image compression reduces quality by removing some data, while lossless compression maintains the image quality but offers less reduction in file size.
What is the purpose of compression settings?
Compression settings control how much data is removed or retained in a file, balancing the trade-off between file size and quality.
How to use Riverside to compress videos
Riverside has an online video compressor that you can use to compress videos. You can choose the codec, and the compression method and make the video compatible with old devices.
- Upload Your Video:
Drop or upload an existing video file that you want to compress.
- Choose the video codec:
Pick between H265 and H264. H265 codec can reduce video size 20-75% more compared to H264 (especially high-resolution video)
- Select the Compression Method:
- Choose “Target a File Size (Percentage)” to reduce the file size by a certain percentage
- Choose "Target a file size (MB)" to get an exact output file size
- Choose "Target a video quality" when quality is important. When you pick this option, you can select the quality (CRF). Remember, a higher CRF values means more compression but it reduces the video quality.
- Choose the compression speed:
You can pick from a variety of compression speeds with “Very Fast” being the default. A slower compression speed means you get better compression and quality. To balance both quality and speed, we recommend you to stick to the default compression speed.
- (Optional) Choose backward compatibility:
Check this box to make a video compatible with older devices. This is also a good option if you have playback issues. But keep in mind that this option will not result in optimal compression.
